If you have a Costco near you they often do Vita-Mix roadshows which is where we bought ours. You get to see what it can actually do that way. They come through every couple of months.
I pity anyone that would try to take my VitaMix away from me
I use it at least once per day. I put everything in it and it liquifies like nobody's business. You DO need to have liquid though with the wet blade. I don't have the dry blade.
Mine's an older 5000 model, variable speed. Cleanup = rinse, add dish soap with water, blend, rinse, drain. I put it in the dishwasher once in awhile too.